​Lean Terminology

Lean Terminology: "what the heck is a Kanban?"

Terminology Handbook

Terminology Handbook V1.0Lean Management was based on the tools and techniques developed over 50 years by Toyota in Japan. Many of the terms used in Lean organizations retain their Japanese origins and words; some are not easily translated into English.Many organizations have replaced the Japanese terms with English terms, something we strongly advise you to do for ease of learning.These open-source handbooks are meant for reference only; take what you need and leave the rest behind. Modify as you see fit. Refer to the "Visual Control Legend" above for icon management.Please share your revisions with the VOE-Network community by sending them to: info@voenetwork.com

​Top 15 Terms

Top 15 Terms (2016 MGH)These terms were chosen by vivarium technicians to be the most useful terms for learning the basics.While some retain their Japanese origins, we strongly advise that your staff determines what terms THEY want to use.

60 Lean Terms Applied to Lab Animal Medicine

60 Terms (2014 MGH)This handbook is a work-in-progress to capture the vast Lean Lexicon and apply it to a vivarium setting. It is very incomplete, but we invite you to have your staff choose what is useful and revise it as they see fit. In the spirit of open-source,please share any revisions with the VOE-Network members by sending them to: info@voenetwork.com

Kanban: What is it?

"Kanban" is an inventory-control system to control the supply chain. Developed at Toyota, kanban is used to "pull" material when needed to improve efficiency or to communicate status or next steps.Based on the American supermarket model of replenishing only what is needed to fill a shelf when the critical "low point" is reached, Kanban is gauged by consumer demand, available resources or time it takes to reorder.Once staff understands how Kanban supports them, they will eagerly develop systems that will make materal replenishment seamless.

What would they do?Sometimes assumptions are made and communication missed that may expose technicians to a hazardous chemical encounter.While your processes and equipment may differ, this video may stimulate discussion among staff members to a) identify the problem, b) map out the current state, c) identify root causes and d) brainstorm potential countermeasures toward developing standardized response procedures as a team.Make up your own scenario and share it with our members!it.